Film Lives Everywhere

More than ever, the Film Society recognizes the importance of the international community on the work we do. We have always taken pride in welcoming filmmakers from all over the world, and we will continue to do so as long as the organization exists. To show our appreciation for the diverse array of filmmakers we work with, and to communicate to the world the importance of our mission, we invited artists who have presented their films to our audiences to share videos expressing their support of this global community. The results included filmmakers from Thailand (Apichatpong Weerasethakul), France (Agnès Varda, Olivier Assayas, Bertrand Bonello, Arnaud Desplechin), Canada (Guy Maddin), Argentina (Lisandro Alonso), the U.S. (Ava DuVernay), and more.

Our first phase of this project features a short video compiling clips from many of these entries. As we continue to expand the initiative and foster conversations around this essential global community, we will update this page with new filmmaker videos, information about free community events and screenings, and ways that audiences around the world can get involved to support the arts and embrace cinema.

The Film Society’s tagline has long been Film Lives Here, but it’s becoming increasingly important to remember that, because of organizations like this one, Film Lives Everywhere.

“I hope we all can still share in films, and different people from different places, and trying to be as close as we are… until now.”

Olivier Assayas:

“I don’t want to be a filmmaker making movies in a scary and dangerous world. I want to be a filmmaker who makes movies about human beings in an environment where they are protected — where they are free to be themselves.”

Olivier Assayas at a press conference for Personal Shopper. Photo by Godlis.

Bertrand Bonello:

“Everything I know in life came from films… That why it’s—for me, and for other people—so important to be able to reach these films.”

Arnaud Desplechin:

“I belong to another country, which is called cinema. In this country anyone coming from any country can live and dream and create.”

Sofia Coppola:

“What I love about films is that you can see so many different experiences from different people from all over the world.”

“I am not alone in my fervent, passionate love of film. There is a tribe out there of other people who believe in it and hold it as dear as I do, and know that it can be what connects us more than what divides us.”

Ava DuVernay introducing the world premiere of her film 13TH. Photo by Julie Cunnah.

Guy Maddin:

“Film can be honest, beautiful, life-altering. It can and should dissolve borders.”

Agnès Varda:

“Since cinema is a universal language, there should be a real universal agreement to have the cinema travel with the people that make it.”

“You [Film Society] continue to welcome different voices and this platform makes us realize that we speak one language, which is cinema. And we evolve it together and in turn, it evolves us to see beyond borders, and that’s what we should strive for everyday.”

The Film Society of Lincoln Center celebrates American and international cinema, to recognize and support new filmmakers, and to enhance awareness, accessibility and understanding of the art among a broad and diverse film going audience.